Manchester United have stepped up interest in Atletico Madrid player Saul Niguez and want to make him Jose Mourinho's first major signing at the club. The Portuguese manager is set to be sworn in to replace Louis van Gaal by the end of this week and the former Chelsea man has already prepared plans to revamp the squad before the start of the Premier League season.

The Daily Mail reports that Saul has signed a new contract with Atletico, which has taken his release clause to £54m ($80m), but Mourinho is willing to stump up the cash to land this versatile midfielder. Saul can play in the centre of the park or out wide and has an eye for goal as was displayed with his astute finish against Bayern Munich in the first leg of the Champions League.

Saul Niguez of Atletico Madrid celebrates with Koke as he scores their first goal during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg match between Club Atleticode Madrid and FCBayernMuenchen at Vincente Calderon on 27 April in MadridGetty

Saul has been a regular member of the Atletico squad over the past two seasons and his good form had earned him a place in the Spain national squad for a friendly against CostaRica in 2015. He has made 47 appearances for the Spain youth teams and is likely to play a part in the European Championships in France which commences in June, having being included by VincentedelBosque in the 23-man squad.